Fair World Projecthttp://fairworldproject.org
The Fair World Project promotes organic and fair trade practices and transparent third-party certification of producers, manufacturers and products, throughout the world. Through consumer education and advocacy, FWP supports dedicated fair trade producers and brands, and insists on integrity in use of the term fair trade in certification, labeling and marketing.Fri, 31 Jul 2015 17:09:17 +0000en-UShourly1US State Department Issues Trafficking In Persons Report: Why You Should Carehttp://fairworldproject.org/blogs/us-state-department-issues-trafficking-in-persons-report-why-you-should-care/
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Earlier this week the US State Department issued its annual Trafficking In Persons Report. More than just a report, this is a tool to pressure governments to address human rights abuses and slavery within their borders.

FWP joined other allies in sending a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry supporting the decision to keep Thailand’s Tier 3 designation, which is the lowest possible ranking. The letter read in part that the ranking “will be an important tool for governments, international institutions, companies and investors to continue to press the Thai authorities to enact more substantive reforms to end the labor trafficking that can be found in many sectors of Thailand’s economy, including seafood.” The next day, the New York Times ran a story describing slavery in the Thailand’s seafood industry.

Malaysia, where mass graves of migrants were found earlier this year, was elevated to Tier 2. This decision has been criticized globally and it is widely believed that the upgrade had more to do with President Obama’s trade agenda than with advances in preventing human trafficking in Malaysia. President Obama gained Fast Track Authority to negotiate the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) earlier this year, but that power does not extend to negotiating with Tier 3 countries. Removing Malaysia, one of the 12 countries participating in the TPP, removes another obstacle to ushering in this secret trade deal expected to help large multi-national corporations gains profits at the expense of working families, small-scale farmers, public health, and the environment.

Upgrading Malaysia now not only takes us one step closer to a disastrous new trade agreement, it could be a foreshadowing of the ways putting profits before people will accelerate if TPP is ultimately passed. The time to speak up is now!

By sector, city, and state, slowly the wages of the country’s lowest-wage workers are rising and we are showing that $15/hour is a viable goal and not just a catchy tagline (“Fight for 15″).

As more states and cities raise wages, there are more opportunities to evaluate the effect of raising the wage on the economy, and the research shows that raising the minimum wage benefits the economy. It’s not just workers who benefit. Businesses benefit from more sales (more people with more money), more loyal and productive workforces, and less turnover.

Yet there is still resistance to the idea of raising the minimum wage, even from those who wish to see a more just economy. Here are a few of the concerns we’ve been fielding and some answers.

Concern:Raising the minimum wage will actually harm low-wage workers because jobs will disappear or be moved to countries with lower wages.

FWP Response: The research cited above shows that raising the minimum wage boost the economy and does not cause job loss. What has caused job loss are bad trade agreements. One million US jobs were lost in the decades after NAFTA went into effect. If we are serious about keeping decent jobs for working families, the answer is not to participate in the race to the bottom. We need to raise the wage for all workers globally and that means fighting against bad trade policies like the Trans Pacific Partnership even as we fight for higher wages for low-wage workers in the US.

Concern: Raising the minimum wage will harm small businesses and promote big corporations like Wal-Mart, ultimately doing more harm than good.

FWP Response: One thing to know is that many of the wage laws that have been passed, like that in Seattle, do give more time for smaller businesses to comply or as in the case of New York’s fast food wages, only apply to larger corporations with a certain number of locations, 30 in the case of New York. It is also the case that many smaller businesses have supported minimum wage increases, Dean’s Beans and Equal Exchange are just too examples. Many smaller businesses already pay higher wages, either because it is part of their values or because they have developed personal relationships with their employees and want them to thrive. Insisting that larger corporations pay higher wages would actually help level the playing field, not drive them out of business.

Concern: We should not be advocating to raise the minimum wage, the real solution is ___________[addressing runaway inflation, our broken immigration system, a poisonous food system, etc.].

FWP Response: Yes, to create a truly just economy will take a complete transformation of our current system. There are many problems to address and many paths forward. That is why we work on so many issues ourselves including climate change, fair trade, farmworker justice, and trade policy. That does not mean we should not be working toward wage increases that will help millions of low-wage workers pay their bills and live a more dignified life.

Fair World Project recently participated in writing an International Guide to Fair Trade Labels. The main purpose was to evaluate fair trade labels, making both generalities about them collectively and looking at each in detail. One aspect of this evaluation was to look at how fair trade labels differ from other eco-social labels. This was particularly important for FWP since it is a question that comes up a lot.

There is a great deal of confusion about eco-social labels. One reason for this is because labels like Rainforest Alliance and UTZ and other eco-social labels certify the same commodities—tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, etc. But they are sometimes more intentionally advertised as fair trade, for example a product that carries a Rainforest Alliance label and a description of fair trade.

But they are not the same. One of the biggest points of differentiation is in the economic criteria. None of the eco-social labels we evaluated in the guide guaranteed a fair price or even guaranteed covering the cost of production, none provided a premium for group community development projects, none offered or facilitated pre-financing, and none required a long-term commitment. All of the fair trade programs (with the exception of Forest Garden) covered all of these criteria. If price is addressed by the eco-social programs at all, it is only to assume that an economic boost for farmers will be the natural outcome of increased yield or quality of the demand for certified products. Directly addressing the economic transaction by guaranteeing a better price and empowering producers to better compete in the marketplace is a hallmark of fair trade.

While the eco-social labels are strong on many of the environmental criteria like protecting biodiversity, only one eco-social label, 4C, completely bans GMOs. Rainforest Alliance allows farmers to grow GMOs as long as they are kept separate from the certified non-GMO products.

The most important conclusion from the labeling guide is that, “Sustainable development labels do not seek to change the practices of companies that buy certified products…In contrast, in fair trade the relationship with business partners is expected to change.”

We have written before about the shortcomings of fair trade certifications and our own certifier analysis tool points to differences among labels. The key here is that fair trade certification is embedded in a movement that is seeking to change trading relationships. Although certification alone cannot bring about the changes we seek, it is significant that other eco-social labels do not even share this goal or vision.

Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) has identified the need to address labor as part of sustainable fishing and in this they are a leader. Their sustainable fishery program attempts to draw attention to problems in this industry and differentiate those who are doing better. It is also rooted in the fair trade movement to the extent that it focuses on fisher associations that make democratic decisions, a welcome change from their recent focus on expanding their work with plantations and factories that provide unfair competition to small-scale organized producers.

However, FTUSA is also a leader in assuming its own limited certification approach is the one-size-fits-all solution to all ills in the food and agriculture system and this is no exception.

A Food and Water Watch report looked at several eco-social fishery labels and concluded that, among other things, they tend to undermine government’s role and that no label sufficiently covered all areas that comprise sustainability. Though they did not look at FTUSA, some of the common shortfalls they did find, like lack of carbon footprint standards and insufficient public input, could be applied to FTUSA as well.

A fair payment is not required. Added value is expected through the premium payment for community projects, which means that fisher incomes may not increase at all through participation in this program. This is part of a troubling trend as FTUSA has also elected to focus on a premium payment rather than paying living wages in its hired labor standards for both farm and factory workers.

Though the focus is on members of fisher associations, there does not appear to be a specific focus on small-scale fishers. This is significant because there are several compliance criteria specifically for the case where there are a “significant” number of workers, many of which are not mandatory until year 3 or beyond. This means that in the case of a fisher association made up of larger fishers, workers may be the primary participants but not the primary beneficiaries.

As an example of the above, where there are a significant number of workers, a written contract is only required starting in year 3. Further, workers are not guaranteed a voice in creating the contract, including pay or working conditions, unless they have opted to create a worker organization. In other words, democratic voice in the workplace and living wages are not guaranteed even in the case of “significant” workforce.

Wages do not need to exceed “regional averages” or legal minimum, i.e. conventional wages, even when many workers are employed.

Overfishing of primary fish is prohibited only at year 3 and overfishing of secondary or by catch only prohibited at year 6.

In addition to these specific concerns is the over-arching concern about whether FTUSA has the capacity to adequately implement its own standards. Much of the abuse that occurs in the industry happens out at sea and a once-a-year audit is unlikely to uncover major problems.

Retailers, brands, and consumers, do have power to help create change. Here are just a few ways:

Retailers and brands who buy fish should sign fair contracts and insist on fair contracts throughout the supply chain in which fishers negotiate a price that allows them to fish in socially and environmentally sustainable ways; financial audits that do not lead to a label may be useful in ensuring trust and transparency

Retailers and brands can use resources such as the Food and Water Watch report referenced above and other reports from reputable neutral organizations to understand which fish and which sources are never sustainable

The United States (and other countries) should use trade policy to ensure worker and small producer rights are upheld, rather than promoting corporate interests; visit our trade policy page to advocate

]]>http://fairworldproject.org/blogs/do-we-need-fair-fish/feed/1Newsletter 142: A New Tool to Evaluate Impact of GMOs and Chance to Keep Them Out of the DARKhttp://fairworldproject.org/in-the-news/newsletter-142-a-new-tool-to-evaluate-impact-of-gmos-and-chance-to-keep-them-out-of-the-dark/
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A New Tool to Evaluate Impact of GMOs and Chance to Keep Them Out of the DARK (July 16tth 2015)

What Is the Impact of GMOs, Synbio, Nanoparticles On….?

Synbio, an extreme form of genetic engineering, could destroy rural livelihoods, especially those that depend on high value crops like vanilla. Nanoparticles may have less of an economic impact, but are much riskier in terms of health. Our new technology tool looks at the risks and impacts of GMOs, synbio, and nanotech on farmers, workers, consumers, and the environment.

They call it the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. We call it the Deny Americans’ Right to Know (DARK) Act. This is the bill that would pre-empt states’ rights to enact GMO labeling laws. We are in an era where consumers want to know more about their food, how it was grown, and if it is safe. The DARK Act would be a step backward and goes against the values of the good food movement. Yet the House has taken the first step to usher it through Congress and will take a vote very soon. We need to shed light on GMOs and their impacts, not keep them in the dark.

Take Action: Let’s Magnify Our Voices and Show Support for Raising the Minimum Wage!

July 24th will mark 6 years from the last time the federal minimum wage has been raised. In the last 6 years, prices on lots of everyday items and basic needs like food and housing have gone up, but millions of low-wage workers earn $7.25/hour, a poverty wage even at full-time hours.

The Raise the Wage Act would raise the minimum wage to $12/hour and gradually bring the tipped wage in line with the regular minimum wage.

To show how broad support is for raising the minimum wage and to mark the July 24th anniversary, Fair World Project is joining other allies like National Employment Law Project, Organizing for Action, MomsRising, and Economic Policy Institute to present Congress with a petition in support of the Raise the Wage Act.

A stretch of La Pasion River in Guatemala 100 kilometers long is the site of a major environmental disaster. Thousands of fish have died along the stretch. The immediate cause is the presence of melathion, a pesticide used in agriculture. The source, palm oil plantations and the Repsa company, a large oil palm processing company with a history of labor discontent and environmental problems.

July 24th will mark 6 years from the last time the federal minimum wage has been raised. In the last 6 years, prices on lots of everyday items and basic needs like food and housing have gone up but millions of low-wage workers earn $7.25/hour, a poverty wage even at full-time hours.

The Raise the Wage Act gives Congress a chance to change this and help 35 million low-wage workers get a much-needed raise. This legislation will even gradually raise the wage for tipped workers, who now face a $2.13/hour minimum wage and have been stuck there even longer.

To show how broad support is for raising the minimum wage and to mark the July 24th anniversary, Fair World Project is joining other allies like National Employment Law Project, Organizing for Action, MomsRising, and Economic Policy Institute to present Congress with a petition in support of the Raise the Wage Act.

And mark your calendar now to participate on Facebook and Twitter in raising the profile of this important issue. Plan to tell your own story of how a higher minimum wage can or has helped you! Stay tuned for details.

Palm oil in Asia is associated with eradication of orangutan habitat, but even in countries, like Guatemala, where orangutans do not live, it is still associated with deforestation, land-grabbing, and labor abuses (problems that also exist but are sometimes overshadowed in rhetoric by the possibility of orangutan distinction.

What can be done? Many groups are calling on consumers to reduce their palm oil consumption. Palm is primarily found in processed foods and while there may not be a good direct substitute for palm oil as an ingredient, avoidance may lead consumers to choices that are healthier for themselves and the environment. Others are calling for brands to clean up their supply chains and for more sustainable palm options.

While working both of these fronts is important, it is also critical to hold companies like Repsa responsible for the damage they have already caused. If corporations are allowed to get away with causing this type of devastation, they will have no incentive to change their business model to one that is fair to workers, does not take away from the livelihoods of neighboring farmers and fishers, and protects our natural resources.

The organization on the ground working on to hold this corporation responsible as well as to find against tree monoculture systems in general is the Latin America Network Against Monoculture Tree Plantations (RECOMA). Learn more about what they do and how to get involved.

Berry Season Has Started and Farmworkers Still Need Your Support! (June 25th 2015)

Berry Season Has Started and Farmworkers Still Need Your Support!

Over the winter, many of you stood in solidarity with farmworkers at Sakuma Brothers Farm in Washington. Farmworkers there have been asking for better pay, adequate housing, and an abuse-free workplace for years. We asked Driscoll’s to intervene on their behalf. The good news is Driscoll’s responded and has taken these concerns seriously and some good things have happened, including the rehiring of all farmworkers who sought jobs this season. But farmworkers organized as Familias Unidas por la Justicia have started the season without a contract. A contract will address remaining issues, such as a confusing and non-transparent pay scale, and also signal to workers that their voices are important and their jobs are secure.

These are just some of the statements released by our allies as it became clear that Fast Track would in the end be approved. The short story is too many members of Congress sided with corporate lobbyists instead of citizens.

We heard from so many of you that you called and emailed your Representative and Senators in the last few weeks. Thank you! We almost did it.

Although many of us are angry and disheartened at the betrayal of working families, farmers around the world, the environment, basic democratic principles, and the environment represented by this vote, we also know that a more just economy is possible. The fight will continue!

Stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved. And as a first step, here is something you can do today:

A new report from the Food Chain Workers Alliance (FCWA) exams how well Wal-Mart upholds its own commitments and finds, despite big promises, Wal-Mart’s claims amount to a lot of greenwashing while farmers and workers in the supply chain struggle. Despite a written policy that suppliers must comply with all national and local laws, the report found suppliers in violation of labor and environmental laws. For example, one of its large seafood suppliers was exposed for ties to slave labor. Wal-Mart made a 2005 commitment to 100% renewable energy for all stores. Ten years later its renewable energy in the US stands at just 16%. The report also finds small-scale farmers in the Global South are especially vulnerable to Wal-Mart’s practices and may struggle to keep their farms if Wal-Mart cancels a contract. The report makes a number of recommendations for Wal-Mart to improve its supply chains.

Recently the Atlantic published an article detailing problems of human trafficking and other labor abuses in Patagonia’s supply chain and the efforts of Patagonia to address them.

Patagonia is addressing its own supply chain by increased auditing throughout the supply chain and by asking more of its suppliers to address the worst abuses, for example employment standards addressing human trafficking.

Left out of this article, however, is the troubling relationship of Patagonia with Fair Trade USA (FTUSA). FTUSA in recent years has developed an apparel program that looks only at the final cut and sew factories before rewarding a “fair trade” label to brands, even though some of the worst abuses, including those that turned up in Patagonia’s own audit reports, are buried deep within the supply chain.

]]>http://fairworldproject.org/in-the-news/newsletter-141-berry-season-has-started-and-farmworkers-still-need-your-support/feed/0Farmworkers in Washington Start Another Season Without a Contracthttp://fairworldproject.org/blogs/farmworkers-in-washington-start-another-season-without-a-contract/
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The good news is, Driscoll’s responded and has taken these concerns seriously. Driscoll’s has spoken with Sakuma management and asked for improvements on behalf of farmworkers.

The first concern heading into the growing season was that members of the independent union Familias Unidas por la Justicia be rehired. It is early in the growing season, but so far all union members who have sought jobs have been rehired. Some other important changes have happened as well, for example security guards hired last year to watch farmworkers have been removed.

Yet there are some changes still needed. The most pressing is a consistent pay scale. Workers started the season with a method of payment that was confusing and although in theory workers could make up to $27/hour, most felt they would in practice be unable to earn more than $10/hour, especially given that the berries this year are smaller and more sparse than normal. In addition, the documentation for calculating production bonuses was not transparent. Although they have since been able to renegotiate payment terms, they feel pay scale will continue to be up for renegotiation without a written contract in place.

Behind this is the bigger issue that farmworkers, given the history of exploitation in the industry in general and the specific history at that farm, feel vulnerable to the whims of owners and managers. To clear up remaining issues and gain the security they need to feel safe and dignified in their work, Familias Unidas por la Justicia is now asking Sakuma Brothers to recognize them as a union and to sit down and negotiate with them.

Although the changes at the farm this season have been largely positive, farmworkers need a voice. Freedom of association, or the right to organize, is not truly upheld if management will not recognize and dialogue with the organization.

Today the House of Representatives took another vote on Trade Promotion Authority or “Fast Track.” It was a close vote but proponents prevailed 218-208.

Fast Track is the bill needed to give the President authority to move forward with the negotiating free trade policies such as the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). It is the way Congress says, “we trust your judgment and don’t need to see the details first.” But we do need to see the details first! Previous trade agreements like NAFTA have had devastating effects on farmers, working families, and the environment. Future trade policies need to be fair, not fast.

Because this bill was different from the bill the Senate passed already, it will need to go back to the Senate next week for reconsideration there.